Other Fire Protection Equipment in Buildings

Ductwork

Ducts exist in buildings for two principal reasons. First, ductwork is an integral part of air-conditioning or warm-air heating systems. Second, ventilation ductwork exists to convey heat and smoke away from the processes (including cooking) which produce the heat and smoke.

General Principles

The general principles are that;

* the ducts should have a fire resistance equal to that of any fire-resistant divisions which they penetrate;

* automatic fire dampers (see below) should be fitted at the penetrations;

* where non-fire-resistant air ducts are used, automatic fire dampers should be fitted wherever ducts pass through fire-resistant walls or floors (short sections of ducts should be fire-resistant at these points);

* automatic fire dampers should be fitted in the main air channel leading from the air-circulating system;

* access points should be provided to all parts of the system for cleaning and for checking and testing automatic fire dampers.

Fire Dampers

Fire dampers provide an important method of restricting the spread of fire and smoke through air ducts. They are automatic shutters installed in the ducts at strategic points and are designed to close automatically when fire occurs and may be operated by the detection of heat or smoke in the ducting. There are specialised applications of ductwork- for example, where the ductwork acts as a flue. In this case it should be fire resistant and fire dampers are not required.

Ventilating systems

Such systems, since they are designed to carry heat and fumes away from the processes and machinery which produce them, inevitably deal with air which contains the by-products of the processes. As well as complying with the general principles of fire-safe ductwork such ducting will also contain filters. These filters will become contaminated with the passage of air and will become an increasingly greater fire hazard unless action is taken. In the interests of health and safety the filters should be cleaned or replaced at regular intervals.

Inspections and record keeping

Where ductwork contains smoke or heat detectors then such equipment should be subject to a scheme of inspection.

Staff should be encouraged to report observed damage to ductwork wherever and whenever it occurs. Such damage could constitute a fire risk and should be reported. The ductwork should be thoroughly examined for external damage once a quarter. The company which installed the ductwork and associated equipment or, alternatively, a specialist maintenance company should be commissioned to inspect and maintain the installation on a regular basis, not less than annually.

Smoke Curtains

A smoke curtain is designed to restrict the movement of smoke in the event of a fire. Some smoke curtains are fixed but generally the term relates to a curtain which moves from a retracted position into its operational position when activated by a smoke detector or some other method.

A smoke curtain should be inspected daily to ensure that there are no obstructions and its operation tested weekly. Where its operation is controlled by a smoke detector the detection system should be checked. A smoke curtain should be inspected and maintained not less than once a year by a specialist contractor who is equipped to check all the components of a powered system.

Firefighting lifts

A firefighting lift differs from a normal passenger lift in that it is designed to continue operating for as long as practicable while there is a fire in parts of the building adjacent to the lift shaft. Thus it is designed with additional protection and with controls that permit its use by the fire brigade engaged in fighting the fire.

British Standard 5588:Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings: Code of practice for firefighting stairs and lifts, provides guidance for designers in providing such lifts and also contains a full account of the many and specialist features of such equipment which require regular inspection and maintenance. Much of that maintenance is beyond the competence of the staff of most occupier companies and a specialist contractor should be commissioned to carry out such work, in which the fire safety manager or other responsible person can chose to record whichever of the following procedures seen appropriate, given the skills and experience of staff on the premises, as well as any reported faults/events involving the lift. As for recording details of maintenance contractors and their activities, in the event that a contractor is commissioned to maintain a firefighting lift.

Daily inspections: ensure that the lift controls are fully operational.

Weekly checks: operate the firefighting lift switch, as well as any mechanical ventilation or pressurisation systems.

Monthly tests: simulate failure of the primary power source and thoroughly test standby supply.

Annually: carry out operational test of firefighting lift controls.

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